Improvement in armor-plating for vessels



initial tapes ,sind @time Letters Patent No. 92,302, (lated July 6, 1869.

IMPROVEMENT IN ARMOR-PLATING FOR VESSELS.

The Schedue referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the same.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DOMENICO GIAMBAsTIaNI, of \V:1sliilgtoii, in the county of \Vashington, and District of Columbia, have invented a new and important 'Naval Defensive-Armor, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being hadlto the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification.

This invention relates to an armor for ships and batteries, the most important features of which consist of many distinct separated blocks of highly-teinpcred steel, between which and the body of the vessel steel elliptic springs are arranged, connecting the armor and the vessel, the springs being coated with a material non-corrosive in itself, and impervious to the action of the salt sea-water.

In the accompanying drawings- Iligure Il is a face view of part oi' said armor.

Figure 2, side view of the same.

Figures and 4, side views and sections ot modifications in the construction and arrangement of armor.

Figure 5,.back view of steel blocks shown in gs. 3 and 4.

Figure (l, sect-ion of spring.

In tig.`2, the part marked A represents the body of the vessel; and

B, the armor, consisting of a number of' highlytempered steel plates, unconnected with one another, the face of each being formed into several diamondshaped, or tour-sided, pointed proiections b.

l) are steel elliptic springs, attached to the backs of the plates B, and to the body of the vessel, leaving a spade between the plates and the vessels body sullicient to contain suitably-sized springs, and permit ot' their free expansion and compression.

'Ihese springs are each connected with but one distinct plate, but their exact arrangement between the plates to which they are attached and the ship is not material, though I prefer the arrangement shown in tig. 1 -alternately an entire elliptic and two reversed halves, as securing a firm and equal pressure on all parts of the plate.

In orden' to preserve. these springs from the corrosive action of the salt water, they are coated or galvanized with copper, as shown in iig. (i, or other equivalent material, which will, in itself, be uninjured by the salt water, and he impenetrable, to prevent its reaching the steel in the springs, which otherwise would be speedily rendered unlit l'or service, and render constant renewing necessary, for the arrangement ol' the plating is such that a space is left between each plate andithe next, through which the salt water will enter andi surround the springs.

In this invention, as described, there are secured three distinct and co-ope'ating elements of defense against the force of projectiles.

First. The highly-tempered steel plating which,

independently of its peculiarly-ibrmed face,.is a most effective guard in itself, being almost, if not wholly, impossible to indent, break, or otherwise injuriously aii'ect by the stroke of a-ball.

Second. The formation of the face ofthe armorplates into pointed diamond, or pyramid-shapcd projections, whose slanting sides, when struck, compels the ball to glance oit, and thus repel the directness of the blow. Y

Third. The springs between the plating, thus constructed, and the body of the ship, which give as the plating is struck, thus absorbing and destroying the remaining force of the concussion.

In 3, 4, and 5, I sho\Y a method of constructing aiid arranging the armor, which I prefer to that I have already described.

vIn this each block of steel C' is made in the shape ol" a single pyramid or diamond, as shown, around the base or back part of which is a groove or grooves, B2, scmicircular in form.

From the centre otthese grooves, on cach side ol' the block to near the centre ot the steel block, as seen clearly in iig. 5, rounded, dovetailcd recesses E are cut, of about a three-quarter-circle curve, open at the back of the steel block.

Thus formed, the steel block is placed in a suitable mould, and the back part covered in with wroughtiron, iilling up the grooves and recesses until a squaresided wrought-iron block, IS', is ibrmed, iig. 3; or, instead oi' a single block ol' steel, thus covered, several, as in iigA, may beH connected, as may be deemed advisable.

'Ihe wrought-iron casing, thus applied, forms a substantial bnndation for the steel block, and can easily have the springs attached.

It also has suilicient elasticity to counteract the solidity ot' a blow on the steel, and to cause the ball to rebound, and, bcingjoined to the steel by rounded connections, is not liable to bc chipped or broken ofi" around said connections.

A very effective defensive armor could be obtained by using' the steel and wrought-iron together, without the addition oi' springs, but when. the three are combined, a doubly-effective result is obtained.

\Vhat I claim as my invention, is

l. A defensive armor for ships or batteries, consisting ot' many distinct blocks or plates oizsteel, with bevelled, pointed i'aces, as described, in combination with the elliptic springs, as and i`or the purpose set forth.

2. 'Ihc combination and arrangement, as described, of the blocks B, and elliptic springs I), for the purpose speciticd.

' DOMENICO GIAMBAS'IIANI.

Witnesses S. Masi, Tiros. A. CosNoLLY. 

